Читать книгу The Obesity Code Cookbook - Jason Fung - Страница 20

( 19 )

introduction

So, all diets fail. The question is: Why do they fail? Permanent weight

loss is actually a two-step process, as there is a short-term problem and

a long-term problem. The hypothalamic region of the brain determines

the body set weight—the fat thermostat. (For more on body set weight,

see The Obesity Code.) Insulin moves the body set weight higher. In the

short term, we can use various diets to bring our actual body weight

down. However, once it falls below the body set weight, the body acti-

vates mechanisms to regain that weight—and that’s the long-term

problem.

It is also important to recognize that obesity is a multifactorial problem.

There is no one single cause of obesity. Do calories cause obesity? Yes,

partially. Do carbohydrates cause obesity? Yes, partially. Does fiber pro-

tect us from obesity? Yes, partially. Does insulin resistance cause obesity?

Yes, partially. Does sugar cause obesity? Yes, partially. All these factors

converge on several hormonal pathways, of which insulin is the most

important, that lead to weight gain. Low-carbohydrate diets reduce

insulin. Low-calorie diets restrict all foods and therefore reduce insulin

levels. Paleo and low-carbohydrate, healthy fat (LChF) diets, which are

low in refined and processed foods, reduce insulin levels. Cabbage-soup

diets reduce insulin. Reduced-food-reward diets reduce insulin levels.

Too often, our current model of obesity assumes it has only one

single true cause, and that all others are pretenders to the throne. But

multiple overlapping pathways increase insulin levels and lead to obe-

sity. Consequently, there is more than one way to reduce insulin. For

some patients, sugar or refined carbohydrates are the main problem.

Low-carbohydrate diets may work best here. For others, the main prob-

lem may be insulin resistance. Changing meal timing or undertaking

intermittent fasting may be most beneficial for those patients. For still

others, the cortisol pathway is dominant. Stress reduction techniques or

correcting sleep deprivation may be critical to them. Lack of fiber may

be the critical factor for yet others. But the common theme in all cases is

the hormonal imbalance of too much insulin.